From Heartbreak to Hope: A Fashion Show with Purpose
Elie Tahari, the 73-year-old Israeli-American designer renowned for dressing New York's working women, has staged a profoundly personal and political fashion show. His latest collection was debuted not by professional models, but by female IDF soldiers, including wounded veterans, in a powerful statement of support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
A Personal Response to Tragedy
Tahari, who was born into an Iranian-Jewish family in Jerusalem, told the Daily Mail that the show was born from heartbreak. "I was up watching the news," he recalled. "I cried for many days, many weeks. The violence was horrific — children, women, families… I couldn't stop thinking about it." This deep emotional response catalysed his desire to take action, rooted in his own life-long motivation for peace.
The designer's passion for supporting wounded soldiers was ignited when his friend, Eli Shakell, a wounded IDF veteran, stayed with him in New York. When Tahari asked how he could help, Shakell revealed a simple yet critical need: "They have no clothes." Tahari immediately began dressing them, receiving videos from soldiers filmed in the dark out of embarrassment over their injuries, which included missing arms, legs, and eyes. "It affected me deeply," he confessed.
The Runway of Resilience in Miami
The resulting fashion show was held at St. Thomas University, a Christian campus in Miami, and was entirely volunteer-run. "I didn't want fame or money, just to help," Tahari stated. "All the models, all the workers, they're doing it from the heart." Among the fourteen models were college students, professionals, and two IDF soldiers, all wearing Tahari's couture.
The participants included incredibly resilient women, such as one soldier, Eden Ram, who survived after being shot 12 times while serving. "She looked amazing," Tahari said proudly. "They are all beautiful — inside and out. That's the point."
Tobi Rubinstein, the event's organiser, explained that this purposeful presentation "transforms the runway into a stage of meaning," calling it a "platform for impact." She added, "Each design reflects not only Tahari's artistry but the courage and spirit of Israel's female IDF soldiers."
A Lasting Commitment to Support
Extending the impact beyond the catwalk, Tahari has made a significant financial pledge. He announced that a portion of the profits from his online business will go to support Israel's wounded soldiers, providing them with clothing and financial assistance.
Connecting this initiative to his own past, Tahari reflected on his time as a soldier after fleeing Iran and living as an orphan. "I remember when I was a soldier, we had no pocket money, we had nothing," he said. "And that's why I think it's so important for the soldiers to have clothes." Amid the pain, his message remains one of hope and strength. "I am a peace-loving man," Tahari affirmed. "We celebrate women whose bravery reminds us that beauty is also strength."
